Sterile Processing Advocate Writes Book About End-of-Life Issues

YORK, Pa.—Michele DeMeo, CRCST, CSPDT, has long been an advocate of the central-sterile supply field, a profession that handles the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of surgical instruments. DeMeo is highly regarded for her expertise and contributions to healthcare associations and professional publications. She has worked as an independent consultant, a contributor to national and international sterile-processing standards development.

DeMeo is now tackling another important role—learning to find peace and live well in the face of a terminal illness, and sharing her personal experience with the world through her newly published book, “The Beauty of a Slow Death."

Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2010, DeMeo was faced with the reality that this terminal illness would act quickly. But rather than throwing in the towel and succumbing mentally and emotionally to this debilitating disease, the diagnosis served as the impetus behind her most important goal thus far: to live well, as if each day were her last.

Some may question why she decided to put her painful experience into words and carve out already limited time to write a book. Her response? If her experience can help even one person live better and more fully, even in the face of a devastating disease or other major life challenge, then the hard work is more than worthwhile, she said.

Several hundred copies of the book have been sold, and feedback has been positive.